Failure to Honor Resident Bathing Preferences and Frequency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor and facilitate resident choices regarding bathing preferences and frequency for two residents reviewed. One resident, with Alzheimer's disease, pressure ulcer, and chronic pain, was assessed as having a strong preference for tub baths over showers. Despite this documented preference, the resident was provided showers on multiple occasions, contrary to their wishes. Another resident, with a history of stroke, diabetes, and dementia, expressed that they had to wait over a week for a shower and felt embarrassed having to request one. Records confirmed an eight-day gap between showers for this resident, despite their assessment indicating the importance of choosing their bathing schedule. Interviews with nursing assistants revealed that staffing limitations often resulted in reduced availability of showers or baths, with residents typically receiving only one bathing opportunity per week. When additional bathing was requested, residents were often offered a bed bath instead due to scheduling constraints. The facility's policy states that residents have the right to self-determination and should be supported in exercising their choices, but these practices did not align with the policy or the residents' documented preferences.